Mark Thomson

Luckily before this film came out I was already a fan of Mike Mignola's Hellboy, having read most of the graphic novels that were out there. The stories are often well written, pulp adventures with moody art, featuring lots of solid blacks, and strong primary colors. The film is based on a combination of the first two books - Seed of Destruction and Right Hand of Doom.

After a short introduction that quickly explains Hellboy's origins, as well as introducing the villains, it fastforwards to present day. Introducing Agent Meyers (a new character not in the books), who has been selected to work as Hellboy's liason. Professor Broom is old and sick, and is grooming a replacement. Abe Sapien is the red monkey's sidekick, as well as Liz Sherman, a pyrokinetic love interest. Events set in motion by the recently returned villains, Ilsa the immortal nazi she-bitch, Kronen a nazi scientist with a body modification fetish, and Rasputin a russian occultist, seek to manipulate Hellboy into releasing the Ogdru Jahad, cthulu-like gods to bring on armageddon.

Sounds a bit much I know, but lovecraftian references aside, it's pretty much monsters fighting with some story. It's a pretty good movie, fun with some occasional laughs thrown in. The production values are pretty good, with the creatures, and locations looking top notch. I was surprised to learn that the Sammael creature was actually men in suits with some enhancements. The extras on the DVD are pretty good, certainly on par with the Lord of the Ring's sets - extensive behind the scenes video, galleries, interviews and production arts are on disc 2.

Overall good fun, don't take it to seriously and you should enjoy it.

We've finally settled on new premises (after a lot of searching), coupled with an increased workload now we're a 2-man team, it's been a really busy time. At least my relationship with difficult co-worker has improved - he's been a bit more patient and reasonable lately. I was surprised to hear him object to my offer to leave the other day - I thought he'd be glad to be rid of me. Perhaps once you get past the territorially pissing he actually likes having me around?

The new office is small, but for what we're paying for it (ie: bugger all), and given its in the heart of the city, it's pretty good. It certainly has character, growing in the crack between two buildings, featuring polished wood floors and actual opening windows, something that feels a bit more like a design studio. It's definitely more interesting than the space we're in now, which looks like a converted 80's cafeteria.

We need some kind of time machine right now - we're close to running out of time to move, but we still have to organise furniture, moving phones, DSL, and servers. Service providers require a minimum of 2 weeks which doesn't help, and it's a struggle to move without having any service disruption. It looks like we're going to have to make a run to IKEA for some of that crazy furniture that they make so well. I don't think we're going to have much chance of getting a lot of our larger items into the building. The boardroom table might have to stay at the foot of the winding stairwell.

Things have been a bit stressful the last few days. Today's the first day I can feel my zen-like calm returning. My team-mate who started at the same time as me was made redundant on Friday, so I've had the whole weekend to stress and obsess about my job security. Talking it out with the boss on Monday did help to allay some of those fears, I just hope they realise that other people are taking risks along with them, and I hope they look after us. We did get some good news today though - we've managed to get out of our hugely expensive building lease, and we'll be moving in a month, so that's all good. Since it's just the four of us now, and usually it's just one or two in the office, I don't think we should bother getting another office. But obviously it's not my decision. I think we're eyeballing a space near the train station, so hopefully we won't be moving too far. A colleague is suggesting moving to the Tech Park which has some merits, but seems a bit far out of the way for everyone but him. I guess we'll find out soon what is happening.

Micky ran the Weetbix Kids Triathlon today. I don't know what her time was, but she finished it which is the main thing. I think she was quite quick, but it's not a timed event - it's more about the kids participating and being outside and exercising. She's very pleased with herself right now. Just next time she does an event, I would hope she'd be more self-motivating. Kids always want to do things, but don't want to put in the effort required to do it. Then it becomes a burden on the parents.